Patents Examined by Michael Tsai
  • Patent number: 9560887
    Abstract: A fluid management device comprising an air filler assembly comprising a filter, a body, a mouthpiece and a flap valve, and a fluid deflector situated between the filter and the mouthpiece. The body comprises condensation collection guide channels located on an inside surface of the body behind the fluid deflector that direct condensation and saliva into a collection basin located behind the fluid deflector at a base of the fluid deflector. The first end of the flap valve is attached to the body, and the second end of the flap valve is situated directly beneath the collection basin. When the flap valve is in an open position, fluids collected in the collection basin escape from the device by dripping out of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Folkvord Products, LLC
    Inventor: Dean Folkvord
  • Patent number: 9550032
    Abstract: A wearable wrist inhaler includes a wristband having a first end and a second end configured for wear about a user's wrist. An inhaler unit is coupled to the wristband displaced from the first end and the second end, the inhaler unit including a housing having a plurality of walls defining an interior area and an outlet port in communication with the interior area. A watch assembly is positioned atop the housing of the inhaler unit, the watch assembly energized by a battery and includes a display configured to indicate a time of day. A dosage chamber including a medicament is positioned in the interior area of the housing. A dispensing assembly is communication with the inhaler medicament that is configured to dispense an individual portion of the medicament via the outlet port upon demand by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: Kendra Baldwin
  • Patent number: 9545530
    Abstract: A self-contained breathing device for use in fighting fires comprising a hood for covering a wearer's head, a membrane for sealing the hood to create a breathing chamber inside the hood, and a source of oxygen disposed inside the hood. The source of oxygen is connected to the user by a conduit inside of the hood, and another conduit directs user-exhaled carbon dioxide to the source of oxygen. The breathing device includes a visual indicator inside of the hood that reacts to the presence of a gas within the hood and providing visual feedback to the user based on a quantity of said gas present in the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Elliott, Girish Kshirsagar, Wayne Noehren, Chip Kuper
  • Patent number: 9539173
    Abstract: A mechanical CPR device can include a back plate, a first tower, and a second tower. The back plate can have a first side and a second side. The first tower can include a first foot and the second tower can include a second foot. The first and second towers can be configured to securely hold a beam above the back plate. The first side of the back plate can be configured to be held to the first foot of the first tower and the second side of the back plate can be configured to be held to the second foot of the second tower when a distributed weight is placed on the back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventor: Anders Torbjörn Jeppsson
  • Patent number: 9532918
    Abstract: A handheld massage device that may be employed to provide therapeutic massage to a user's backside includes a user-grippable, generally hook-shaped handle and a massage tool mounted at one end thereof. The massage tool has a plurality of body-contacting work elements that may be selectively moved into operative position and locked in place. A releasable, spring-loaded locking mechanism is provided between the handle and the massage tool so that the tool is locked in position when engaged and unlocked and rotatable when disengaged. The handle may be formed as an integral piece or in segments that can be assembled in end-to-end relation or disassembled and compactly folded for storage. In segmented form, a resilient line may extend internally within tubular segments between the respective end segments to securely hold the handle segments together and cooperating parts axially and rotationally align the separable segments when assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventors: John G Louis, Scott Padiak
  • Patent number: 9522095
    Abstract: A method for mobilizing a hip joint capsule of a patient using a resilient bolster. In accordance with the method, the patient assumes a lateral position, with the hip capsule to be treated superior. The resilient bolster is placed between the patient's legs as proximal to the patient's crotch. A force is applied to patient's superior leg to move it downwardly from a resting position. During downward movement of the patient's superior leg, the bolster functions as a fulcrum and the patient's superior femur functions as a lever arm to create a first class lever that partially distracts the femoral head from the acetabulum. After application of the force, the resiliency of the bolster causes the patient's superior leg to return to the resting position. The movements may be repeated, and the degree of hip flexion and rotation may be varied to affect different regions of the hip capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventor: Carl W. Steele
  • Patent number: 9517319
    Abstract: For reducing a discomfort feeling brought by wearing a breathing mask, a wearing tool for the breathing mask which covers nostrils of a user and supplies gas for breathing to the nostrils comprises a pair of connecting members each of which has a longitudinal shape and has a first end portion which is connected to the breathing mask, and a pair of fixing members each of which is connected to a second end portion of the fixing member and is plugged in the tragus of the user. Hence a discomfort feeling due to restraining around the head of the user can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Teijin Pharma Limited
    Inventors: Keiko Omura, Shinya Fujimoto, Akito Nishijima
  • Patent number: 9498656
    Abstract: A self-contained breathing device for use in fighting fires comprising a hood for covering a wearer's head, a membrane for sealing the hood to create a breathing chamber inside the hood, and a source of oxygen disposed inside the hood. The source of oxygen is connected to the user by a conduit inside of the hood, and another conduit directs user-exhaled carbon dioxide to the source of oxygen. The breathing device includes a visual indicator inside of the hood that reacts to the presence of a gas within the hood and provides visual feedback to the user based on a quantity of the gas present in the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Elliott, Girish Kshirsager, Wayne Noehren, Chip Kuper
  • Patent number: 9498403
    Abstract: Provided is an automatic salivation facilitating apparatus including a first parotid gland massaging device which massages user's one-side parotid gland, a second parotid gland massaging device which massages user's other-side parotid gland, a first fixing member which connects the first and second parotid gland massaging devices and allows the user to wear the automatic salivation facilitating apparatus, a salivation agent injection unit which is disposed to a lower portion of one of the first and second parotid gland massaging devices to periodically automatically inject salivation agent, and a controller which operates a main body. The automatic salivation facilitating apparatus utilizes a submandibular gland massaging device together with the salivation agent injection unit and the parotid gland massaging devices, so that the effect of facilitating salivation can be maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: KYUNGPOOK NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Byeong-Cheol Ahn
  • Patent number: 9486381
    Abstract: A method for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a human subject is provided. A first vibration stimulation member is introduced into a posterior part of a first nasal cavity of the human subject. By means of the first vibration stimulation member, vibrations are imparted to the posterior part of the first nasal cavity at frequency in a range of from 60 to 70 Hz. A second vibration simulation member is arranged between the trapezius muscle and the sternocleidomastoid muscle on a first side of the neck of the human subject; and by means of said second vibration stimulation member, vibrations are imparted to the first side of the neck at a frequency in a range of from 30 to 50 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: CHORDATE MEDICAL AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Juto, Jan-Erik Juto, William Holm, Viktor Kronestedt
  • Patent number: 9474469
    Abstract: A method of monitoring tracheal pressure of a subject is disclosed. The subject is ventilated with breathing gas flowing via an endotracheal tube having an inflatable cuff. The method comprises monitoring sealing of the trachea by the cuff using a close loop control, varying a ventilation pressure thereby varying flow level of the breathing gas, monitoring a response pressure within the cuff in response to the variation, and calculating the tracheal pressure using the ventilation pressure variations, the cuff response pressure and the flow level. In some embodiments, an under-pressure is applied for suctioning fluid carrying secretions, synchronously with variations in the tracheal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Hospitech Respiration Ltd.
    Inventors: Israel Deutsch, Shai Efrati
  • Patent number: 9446209
    Abstract: Taught herein is a disposable breath actuated dry powder drug inhalation device having a powderized drug storage chamber with integral toroidal geometry and air flow pathways for entraining and breaking up powder aggregates prior to delivery to the patient. The toroidal chamber is fluidly connected by one or more air inlets directed in a non-tangent manner toward the powder to loft and set up an irregular-rotational flow pattern. Also, in fluid connection with the toroidal chamber is a centrally or near centrally located air and powder outlet consisting of one or more holes forming a grid in fluid connection with a channel providing a passageway for powder flow to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: ConcentRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Carl Richardson
  • Patent number: 9421141
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a therapy apparatus includes a support, a body harness mounted to the body support, a gearbox positioned below the harness, the gearbox comprising at least one gear and supporting a crankshaft, crankarms mounted to the crankshaft, and pedals mounted to the crankarms, a driveshaft coupled to the at least one gear such that rotation of the driveshaft results in rotation of the crankshaft, crankarms, and pedals, and a motor that drives the driveshaft, wherein the apparatus is adapted to support part of the weight of an subject with the harness and part of the weight of the subject with the pedals and wherein rotation of the pedals due to operation of the motor provides therapy to the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Prodip K. Bose, Floyd J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9421341
    Abstract: A laryngeal tube comprising a tubular component and a nozzle having a central cavity, an anterior opening and a tongue at least partially covering the central cavity. In one example, the laryngeal tube has a first lumen to deliver gases to a patient and a fluid barrier supported by the nozzle. In other examples, the laryngeal tube may include additional lumens including a service lumen to perform a function associated with the thorax and an inflation lumen to inflate the fluid barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: King Systems Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Miller, Thomas W. McGrail, Benje Boedeker, Volker Bertram
  • Patent number: 9408993
    Abstract: A nitric oxide delivery device including a valve assembly, a control module and a gas delivery mechanism is described. An exemplary gas delivery device includes a valve assembly with a valve and circuit including a memory, a processor and a transceiver in communication with the memory. The memory may include gas data such as gas identification, gas expiration and gas concentration. The transceiver on the circuit of the valve assembly may send wireless optical line-of-sight signals to communicate the gas data to a control module. Exemplary gas delivery mechanisms include a ventilator and a breathing circuit. Methods of administering gases containing nitric oxide are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt Hospital Products IP Limited
    Inventors: Duncan P. Bathe, John Klaus, David Christensen
  • Patent number: 9402947
    Abstract: A pressurized air supply source for a portable nasal irrigator houses an airflow regulating system, instead of external bulky, heavy components, to power the atomization of fluid for irrigation of nasal passages. The airflow regulating system is made up of a pump, a motor to drive the pump, a filter with an inlet air manifold connected to the pump to eliminate additional tubing within the pressurized air supply source, and an optionally rechargeable battery to drive the motor. An external AC/DC power supply may charge the battery or operate the device when the battery is in a discharged state. A canister for holding fluid attaches on top of the pressurized air supply source and an insert fits that over a fluid channel in the canister to create a venturi effect and draw the fluid out. The pressurized air supply source creates a clinically effective airflow despite its small size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: MEDINVENT, LLC
    Inventor: William J. Flickinger
  • Patent number: 9380824
    Abstract: An adjustable helmet and a head massager are provided. The adjustable helmet comprises a ring-shaped latitudinal shell and a longitudinal shell connected across the latitudinal shell, at least one of the longitudinal shell and the latitudinal shell has an adjustable means, the inside of the adjustable means has a bidirectional locking structure. In the embodiments, the adjustable means has a bidirectional locking structure which can lock the latitudinal shell or longitudinal shell in bi-direction. When the latitudinal shell or longitudinal shell is disengaged or contracted by the adjustable means and is locked by the bidirectional locking structure, the latitudinal shell or longitudinal shell is fixed in the expanding direction or contracting direction and can't continue to be expanded or contracted inwards. Advantageously, the helmet in use has a constant size, which is useful for users, when the above-mentioned adjustable helmet is applied to a head massager, it's convenient for massage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: SHENZHEN BREO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xuejun Ma, Yong Wan
  • Patent number: 9332891
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for the cleaning of an endotracheal tube while a patient is being supported by a ventilator connected to the endotracheal tube for the purpose of increasing the available space for airflow or to prevent the build up of materials that may constrict airflow or be a potential nidus for infection. In one embodiment, a mechanically-actuated endotracheal tube cleaning device is configured to removably receive a visualization member to provide cleaning of the endotracheal tube under direct visualization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: EndoClear LLC
    Inventors: Brad Eugene Vazales, Arthur Bertolero
  • Patent number: 9326911
    Abstract: A compression integument for applying controllable intermittent sequential compression to the limbs of a user comprises an elongated fabric body sized to encircle a limb of a user, one or more compressible pads affixed to a surface of the fabric body facing the limb when the fabric body is wrapped around the limb; one or more tensioning elements integrated into the fabric body or compressible pads and arranged to encircle the limb when the fabric body is wrapped around the limb, and a micro-processor based actuator for selectively actuating the one or more tensioning elements to reduce the effective diameter of the tensioning elements encircling the limb, to thereby apply pressure to the limb by way of the compressible pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Recovery Force, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew W. Wyatt, Lewis Tyson Ross
  • Patent number: 9308126
    Abstract: Improvements in devices, systems and methods for non-invasively lowering intra-ocular pressure (IOP). In examples, the device applies non-invasive, focal, mechanical oscillation to the limbal region at a low amplitude and frequency, targeting the trabecular meshwork to restore outflow function and lower IOP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Malik Y. Kahook, Glenn R. Sussman, Robert E. Atkinson